Big Bend football kicks off tonight! Here's what you need to know for Week 0

It's officially game time!

Football teams from around the Big Bend are gearing up to kick off a long-awaited season. From Niceville to Orlando, area teams will be looking to start the season on a positive note, heading into Week 1 with victories.

Here is where you can find Big Bend football teams this week.

► Mark your calendar, here are the schedules for every Big Bend football team

► Big Bend football: Here is everything you need to know for the 2022 season

► Follow Big Bend Preps on Instagram @tlhbigbendpreps

Thurs: NFEI at Munroe 

Where: Corry Field, 1400 W King St, Quincy, FL 

When: 7 p.m. 

What to look out for: Munroe is bringing a lot of talent to the field this season including senior cornerback Makari Vickers (four-star prospect), senior wide receiver Ahmari Borden (Stanford commit), junior defensive tackle Keishawn Mashburn (Florida State commit), and many others. 

Thurs: Florida High at Blountstown

Where: Bowles Field, 17174 NW Charlie Johns St, Blountstown, FL 

When: 7 p.m. CST 

What to look out for: Florida High is bringing yet another deep and talented team to the field, highlighted by the impressive running back core of senior Rhyder Poppell, junior Micahi Danzy, and senior Jalon Carter. Sophomore Jeremy Johnston will also be stepping into the starting quarterback role. 

► Welcoming in large, young core, a state championship is still the goal for Florida High

Fri: Sebastian River at Chiles

Where: Chiles High School, 7200 Lawton Chiles Ln, Tallahassee, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: Chiles is returning nearly its entire roster from last season including senior running back Tre'avis Jones, who pushed nearly 2,000 rushing yards last season. Expect him to activate early on for Chiles. Another player to watch will be five-star junior kicker/punter Bobby Engstler, who had some impressive makes in the spring season.

Fri: Wakulla at Madison County

Where: Boot Hill, 2649 US-90, Madison, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: Madison County plays its first home game since winning the 1A state championship in December, with a lot of talent on both sidelines. Maryland commit senior defensive back Jonathan Akins and senior quarterback Jamie Hampton highlight the Cowboys lineup. Wakulla senior linebackers Todd Williams and Tanner Lanier are big pieces to watch on the War Eagles' defensive units.

► While Madison County has a new look with new coach, younger players, state title standard remains

Fri: Williston at Taylor County

Where: Dorsett Stadium, 400 Cherry St, Perry, FL

When: 7:30 p.m.

What to look out for: Taylor County plays in its first kick-off classic game in two years in front of a home crowd. Expect an early impact from senior running back Jer’quon Clayton, sophomore running back Caden Collier, and senior defensive back Cameron Upshaw.

► One love: A year after program damaging brawl, Taylor County football has a new identity

Fri: Rickards at Bishop Moore

Where: Bishop Moore Catholic High School, 3901 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: Rickards offense will get its first chance to flex this season, seeing senior quarterback Jak'ari Winters led the effort alongside UMass commit senior wide receiver Rico Watkins, Oklahoma commit senior wide receiver Keyon Brown, and senior running back David Laws. A younger defense will also be put to the test against a private school power.

Fri: Godby at Raines

Where: William Raines Senior High School, 3663 Raines Ave, Jacksonville, FL

When: 6:30 p.m.

What to look out for: This will be DeMario Jones' first fall season game as head coach, returning to the previous school he coached at. Godby brings a youth team to the field, led by sophomore quarterback Christian Sims, senior wide receiver Kenny Jenkins and senior linebacker Cheddrick Henry.

►'Our goal is to win in life': Jones focused on building character through football at Godby

Fri: Lincoln at Niceville

Where: Niceville High Stadium, E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: For the second straight year, Lincoln heads west to take on Panhandle power Niceville, which has turned out to be a competitive game in the past. Four-star Georgia commit senior linebacker Raylen Wilson is Lincoln's big piece on defense followed by senior quarterback Ayden Fryar, wider receiver Kenneth Kelly, and running back Fredrick Alexander on offense.

Fri: NFC at Hamilton County

Where: Hamilton County High School, 5683 US-129, Jasper, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: North Florida Christian returns to a gridiron with a deeper and older team. The duo of junior quarterback JP Pickles and senior wide receiver Traylon Ray will once again be one of the top prospect parings to watch in the Big Bend. NFC is also adding a handful of new transfers into the mix.

►Newfound confidence has given North Florida Christian football veteran, deeper identity

Fri: Maclay at Wewahitchka

Where: Gator Field, 1 Gator Cir, Wewahitchka, FL

When: 7:30 p.m. CST

What to look out for: With a new coach, Maclay has an older look with a new mindset this season, bringing back a lot of depth. Its receiving core is going to be deep, led off by senior quarterback Michael Grant, complemented by seniors Grayson Oberste, Caleb Heuchan, and Shane Croston.

Fri: St. John Paul II at South Walton

Where: South Walton High School, 645 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: St. John Paul II is setting up to have one of the most challenging schedules in program history, which starts off with 4A-1 regional finalist South Walton. Junior running back Jadan Walden will be a big player to watch alongside junior quarterback Tremaine Hughes Jr, booting up the offense for the first time this season.

Fri: Jefferson County at Chipley

Where: Chipley High School, 1545 Brickyard Rd, Chipley, FL

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: Jefferson County welcomes Norris Footman back to the gridiron, but this time as a head coach of an ambitious Tigers program. Senior wide receiver Juvon Pettway will be the biggest player to watch after returning to Jefferson County after spending his junior year at Lincoln.

►17 teams in 17 days countdown to Big Bend football kick-off: Jefferson County

Fri: Aucilla Chrisitan at Fullington Academy

Where: Fullington Academy, 264 Pine Ave, Pinehurst, GA

When: 7 p.m.

What to look out for: The Warriors act as the lone team to cross state lines in Week 0, taking on Fullington Academy. Aucilla returns as a more experienced team, led off by 1,000-yard rusher senior running back Jace Grant. He will be a key piece to watch throughout this entire season alongside a young, but experienced Warriors squad.

Jack Williams covers prep sports for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams. 

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here's what you need to know for Big Bend football Week 0